Cellular telephone set and character display presentation method to be used in the same

ABSTRACT

A cellular telephone set can increase number of display patterns of animation display without occupying large storage region in the memory and without performing setting operation every time. The character presentation means determines character to be displayed in each event screen upon depression of call release button after telephone calling, depression of call release button after telephone call reception, upon occurrence of at least one of presence of not responded call and newly received mail, and upon variation of state between open state and closed state of the first and second casings, depending upon calling history, time of calling, call arriving history, time of call arrival, and timing of detection of variation of state between open state and closed state of the first and second casing by the detecting means.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/671,547, filed Sept. 29, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,551,946, whichclaims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-292604,filed on Oct. 4, 2002. Disclosure of the above-identified JapanesePatent Application is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cellular telephone set anda character display presentation method to be used in the same. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an animation display system in anevent screen upon turning ON a power source of the cellular telephoneset.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, among the cellular telephone set, there are some setsproviding visual effect for enabling to see conditions at a glance bypresenting animation displays set for respective conditions, such asupon waking-up, upon arrival of call, upon calling, upon sending mail,upon reception of mail, upon placement of folding type set in opencondition where an upper side casing and a lower side casing areunfolded or opened (in waiting condition) and so forth. Such cellulartelephone set has been disclosed in “Setting of Waiting State DisplayScreen”, NTT Docomo Kabushiki Kaisha, Instruction Manual of Mover N211i,Chapter of Explanation of Functions, and page 139, November, 2001.

In this case, as animation display, animation of famous character may beemployed, or, in the alternative, animation of the character providinggood impression to the user may be employed.

In the conventional cellular telephone set, by setting animation displayper respective conditions, such as upon waking-up, upon arrival of call,upon calling, upon sending mail, upon reception of mail and so forth, itbecomes possible to display animation of selected character.

However, at every time of changing animation display, setting operationhas to be performed. Also, due to restriction of memory capacity mountedfor each equipment, large number of characters cannot be stored. Onceanimation display is set, display of the same pattern of animation isperformed every time.

Accordingly, in the conventional cellular telephone set, upon executinganimation display of different patterns at every time, setting operationbecomes necessary every time of executing animation display. Also, forstoring images for many kinds of animation display, large storage regionof memory becomes necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been worked out in view of the shortcoming setforth above. It is therefore an object of the present invention toprovide a cellular telephone set and a character display presentationmethod which can increase number of display patterns of animationdisplay without occupying large storage region in a memory and withoutrequiring setting operation at every time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a cellulartelephone set capable of performing animation display of any one of apreliminarily stored plurality of characters, comprises:

character presentation means for controlling animation display of thecharacter depending upon history information corresponding to an eventupon occurrence of the event in the set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a cellulartelephone set capable of performing animation display of any one of apreliminarily stored plurality of characters, comprises:

character presentation means responsive to occurrence of an event on theset for controlling animation display of the character depending uponhistory information depending upon an occurrence timing of apredetermined operation relating to the event.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a characterdisplay presentation method of a cellular telephone set capable ofperforming animation display of any one of a preliminarily storedplurality of characters, comprises:

step of controlling animation display of the character depending uponhistory information corresponding to an event upon occurrence of theevent in the set.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a characterdisplay presentation method of a cellular telephone set capable ofperforming animation display of any one of a preliminarily storedplurality of characters, comprises:

step responsive to occurrence of the event on the set of controllinganimation display of the character depending upon history informationdepending upon an occurrence timing of a predetermined operationrelating to the event.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a program for acharacter display presentation method of a cellular telephone setcapable of performing animation display of any one of a preliminarilystored plurality of characters, the program operates a computer forexecuting a process of controlling animation display of the characterdepending upon history information corresponding to an event uponoccurrence of the event in the set.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a program for acharacter display presentation method of a cellular telephone setcapable of performing animation display of any one of a preliminarilystored plurality of characters, the program operates a computer forexecuting a process responsive to occurrence of an event on the set, ofcontrolling animation display of the character depending upon historyinformation depending upon an occurrence timing of a predeterminedoperation relating to the event.

Namely, the cellular telephone set according to the present inventiondetermines character to be displayed in each event screen upondepression of call release button after telephone calling, upondepression of call release button after telephone call reception, uponoccurrence of at least one of presence of not responded call and newlyreceived mail, and upon variation of state between open state and closedstate of the first and second casings, depending upon calling history,time of calling, call arriving history, time of call arrival, and timingof detection of variation of state between open state and closed stateof the first and second casing by the detecting means, and displays thedetermined character on the display screen.

Discussing more particularly, in the cellular telephone set according tothe present invention, the character presentation means determines theappearing character to one of three types depending upon number of thesame number (number of calling in the calling history per callrecipient) presenting in the calling history, and determines one of twopatterns for displaying the character depending upon a time of calling(minutes) (odd number or even number).

On the other hand, in the cellular telephone set according to thepresent invention, the character presentation means determines theappearing character to one of three types depending upon number of thesame number (number of call reception in the call reception history percaller) presenting in the calling history, and determines one of twopatterns depending for displaying the character upon a time of callreception (minutes) (odd number or even number).

On the other hand, in the cellular telephone set, the characterpresentation means displays the character upon depression of callrelease button after telephone calling, depression of call releasebutton after telephone call reception, upon occurrence of at least oneof presence of not responded call and newly received mail, uponvariation of state between open state and closed state of the first andsecond casings, and determines one of two patterns depending upon time(minutes) (odd number or even number) of opening of the set fordisplaying the character.

On the other hand, in the cellular telephone set, the characterpresentation means varies display condition in the character displaydepending upon time (minutes) of opening of the cellular telephone setupon performing character presentation upon variation of state betweenopen state and closed state of the first and second casing by thedetecting means.

By this, in the cellular telephone according to the present invention,it becomes possible to increase number of display patterns of animationdisplay without occupying large storage region in the memory and withoutperforming setting operation every time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detaileddescription given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, shouldnot be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanationand understanding only.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of one embodiment of acellular telephone set according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an example of structure of a memory ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing one example of a display screen of adisplay portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a content of function setting for acharacter presentation means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is an illustration showing a storage content of a storage regionof a built-in character (for normal state) of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B is an illustration showing a storage content of a storage regionof a built-in character (for memorial day) of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a storage content of a storage regionof a downloaded character of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an example of display of a displayscreen of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing an example of display of a displayscreen of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing an example of display of a displayscreen of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 10A to 10E are illustration showing pattern assignment conditionof “calling talking call releasing” in the character presentation meansof FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11A to 11E are illustration showing pattern assignment conditionof “call arrival→talking→call releasing” in the character presentationmeans of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 12A to 12E are illustration showing pattern assignment conditionof “not responded call arrival→new mail” in the character presentationmeans of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a presentation character display judgmentprocess by the character presentation means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a presentation character display judgmentprocess by the character presentation means of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a presentation character display judgmentprocess by the character presentation means of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in termsof the preferred embodiment of a cellular telephone set and a characterdisplay presentation method to be used in the same, in accordance withthe present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of one embodiment of acellular telephone set according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, afoldable cellular telephone set 1 is constructed with an antenna 11, acontrol portion 12, a memory 13, a timer 14, a key operating portion 15,a display portion 16, a radio portion 17, a signal processing portion18, a casing opening and closing detecting mechanism 19, a recordingmedium 20, a speaker 21 and a microphone 22. An upper side casing (notshown) mounting the display portion 16 and a lower side casing (notshown) mounting a key operating portion 15 are connected for opening andclosing by means of a hinge or the like.

It should be noted that while the following disclosure for the shownembodiment will be given in terms of the foldable cellular telephoneset, the invention is obviously applicable for the cellular telephoneset in which the upper side casing and the lower side casing areintegrated, except for process operation in open condition and closedcondition of the upper side casing and the lower side casing.

The antenna 11 performs transmission and reception of a radio wave. Inthe key operating portion 15, user performs various setting, operationof personal identification number or operation of calling and callreceiving. The display portion 16 displays operation menu uponperforming various setting, operation of personal identification numberor operation of calling and call receiving. The radio portion 17performs process relating to radio transmission and reception. Thesignal processing portion 18 processes a received signal or atransmission signal. The speaker 21 outputs a received voice and themicrophone 22 inputs a voice.

The control portion 12 is connected to the memory 13, the timer, 14, thekey operating portion 15, the display portion 16, the radio portion 17and the signal processing portion 18, respectively for performingcontrol of respective portions. On the other hand, the control portion12 includes a character presentation means 121 performing animationdisplay upon occurrence of various events, such as wake-up (upon ON-setof power source of the cellular telephone set), call arrival, calling,mail transmission, mail reception, situating the upper side casing andthe lower side casing in open condition in case of the foldable type (inwaiting) and so forth.

When character presentation function is set ON, the characterpresentation means 121 displays character and comment (message) inparticular event screen. In character presentation, a character [GIF(Graphic Interchange Format) animation] selected through characterselecting operation appears on a display screen (not shown) of thedisplay portion 16.

On the other hand, the character presentation means 121 enablesdownloaded GIP animation to appear. Furthermore, the characterpresentation means 121 is set so as not to operate when “standard” isselected in character selecting operation.

Opening and closing operation of the upper side casing and the lowerside casing are detected by the casing opening and closing detectingmechanism 19. As detection method of opening and closing operation bythe casing opening and closing detecting mechanism 19, a method ofdetecting opening operation and closing operation of the upper sidecasing and the lower side casing by means of magnets, a method ofdetecting opening operation and closing operation of the upper sidecasing and the lower side casing by ON and OFF of a microswitch, and soforth may be employed.

The memory 13 stores contents of various setting, personalidentification number and so forth. As actuated by the control portion12, the timer initiates counting up of elapsed time and notifies time-upto the control portion 12 upon elapse of a designated period. Thestorage medium 20 stores a program (program executable by a computer)for realizing process of respective portions set forth above and thecontrol portion 12 controls respective portions by executing the programstored in the storage medium 20.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an example of a structure of thememory 13 of FIG. 1. While FIG. 2 shows a structure of the case where abuilt-in characters #1 and #2 and downloaded characters can be displayedon the foldable cellular phone set 1, the shown embodiment is applicableeven for the case where three or more built-in characters are to bestored by obtaining a storage region therefor.

In FIG. 2, the memory 13 is formed including a storage region 131 forthe built-in character #1 (for normal state), a storage region 132 forthe built-in character #1 (for memorial day), a storage region 133 forstorage region 133 for the built-in character #2 (for normal state), astorage region 134 for the built-in character #2 (for memorial day) anda storage region 135 for the downloaded character.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing one example of a display screen of thedisplay portion 16 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the display screen 161 of thedisplay portion 16 comprises a message display area (for two lines) 162for displaying a message depending upon a condition of the foldable typecellular telephone set 1, and an image display area 163 displayinganimating image.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a content of function setting for thecharacter presentation means 121 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, setting of ON/OFFof the foregoing function for the character presentation means 121 isperformed on “screen display setting”.

On the screen display setting, items of “waiting screen”, “wake-up”, . .. , “character presentation” and so forth are contained. Setting of thefunction by the character presentation means 121 is performed on“character presentation”. Setting items of the function in the“character presentation” are three of “OFF”, “character” and “download”.After selection of “download”, selection of message type is required forselection among “standard”, “male” and “female”.

FIG. 5A is an illustration showing a storage content of the storageregion 131 for the built-in character #1 (normal state)” of FIG. 2, andFIG. 5B is an illustration showing a storage content of the storageregion 132 for the built-in character #1 (memorial day)” of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 5A, in the storage region 131 for the built-in character #1(normal state), an image A “for normal state, character #1, pattern #1”(A1), an image B “for normal state, character #1, pattern #1” (B2), animage C “for normal state, character #1, pattern #1” (C3), an image D“for alert state, character #1, pattern #1” (D4), an image A “for normalstate, character #1, pattern #2” (A5), an image B “for normal state,character #1, pattern #2” (B6), an image C “for normal state, character#1, pattern #2” (C7), and an image D “for alert, character #1, pattern#2” (D8). While not illustrated, in the storage region 133 of thebuilt-in character #2 (for normal state), the same type data as those inthe storage region 131 for the built-in character #1 (for normal state)are stored.

In FIG. 5B, in the storage region 132 for the built-in character #1 (formemorial day), an image A “for normal state, character #1, pattern #3(limited for memorial day)” (A9), an image B “for normal state,character #1, pattern #3 (limited for memorial day)” (B10), an image C“for normal state, character #1, pattern #3 (limited for memorial day)”(C11) and an image D “for alert, character #1, pattern #3 (limited formemorial day)” (D12) are stored. While not illustrated, in the storageregion 134 of the built-in character #2 (for memorial day), the sametype data as those in the storage region 132 for the built-in character#1 (for memorial day) are stored.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the storage content of the storageregion 135 of the downloaded character of FIG. 2. In FIG. 6, in thestorage region 135 of the downloaded character, an image A, “firstfield”, (DL-A), an image B, “second field”, (DL-B), an image C, “thirdfield”, (DL-C) and an image D, “fourth field” (DL-D) and so forth arestored.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are illustrations showing examples of display of thedisplay screen 161 of FIG. 3, respectively. FIGS. 10A to 10E areillustrations showing pattern assignment condition of“calling→talking→call releasing” in the character presentation means 121of FIG. 1, FIGS. 11A to 11E are illustrations showing pattern assignmentcondition of “call arriving→talking→call releasing” in the characterpresentation means 121 of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 12A to 12E are illustrationsshowing pattern assignment condition of “not responded call arrival→newmail” in the character presentation means 121 of FIG. 1. Characterpresentation by the character presentation means 121 will be discussedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 12E.

When the built-in character is selected, as shown in FIG. 5, pattern #1,pattern #2 and pattern #3 (for memorial day) for the character #1 arepresented by the character presentation means 121. Also, in thepatterns, four types of characters are provided. For character #2,“three patterns×four types” are provided similarly to the character #1.

On the other hand, the character presentation means 121 is adapted todisplay messages per respective scenes. These are selectively appeareddepending upon number of calling and call arriving number or a time onthe cellular telephone set (time of the timer 14).

When the downloaded character is selected, the character presentationmeans 121 uses the downloaded GIF animation with dividing into four.These are selectively appeared depending upon number of calling and callarriving number or a time on the cellular telephone set (time of thetimer 14).

The character presentation means 121 performs character presentation onrespective event screen (1) upon pushing down of call release buttonafter calling of telephone, (2) upon pushing down of call release buttonupon call arrival of telephone, (3) upon presence of not responded callsor new mails and (4) upon situating the upper side casing and the lowerside casing from closed state to open state.

In case of the day corresponding to memorial days set by a schedulefunction, the character presentation means 121 displays a particularcharacter which is stored in the storage region 132 for the built-incharacter #1 (for memorial day) or storage region 134 of the built-incharacter #2 (for memorial day).

The character presentation means 121 displays the character and themessage according to the assignment table of material (see FIGS. 10A to12E). The character presentation is turned OFF in response to depressionof any key or time-out of five second period.

When character is displayed by the character presentation means 121,display is not transited to the menu screen or so forth by depression ofmenu button or digit button. On the other hand, the character andcomment are displayed on a display position shown in FIG. 3, namely in amessage display area 162 and an image display area 163, respectively.

Hereinafter, discussion will be given for display method of respectivepresentation of the characters in respective event screen of foregoing(1) to (4). In the following discussion, it is assumed that as thecharacters to be displayed on respective event screens, images stored inthe storage region 131 for the built-in character #1 (for normal state)and images stored in the storage region 132 (for memorial days) shown inFIG. 5, images stored in the storage region 135 for downloadedcharacters shown in FIG. 6 and so forth are used.

Upon depression of call release button after telephone calling andreturning to the waiting screen, the character presentation means 121displays the character in the image display area 163 of the displayscreen 161. The character presentation means 121 makes judgment for thecharacter to be displayed depending upon calling history and a time uponcalling.

The character presentation means 121 determines presentation on thedisplay to any one of three types of appearing character depending uponnumber of the same number presenting in the calling history (number ofcalling in the calling history per call recipient) and any one of twopatterns depending upon the time of calling (minutes) (odd number oreven number).

Namely, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the built-in character #1 is selectedin normal state, if number of calling in the calling history per callrecipient is one or two, “A1” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is odd number, and “A5” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is even number. If number of calling in the calling history percall recipient is three to five, “B2” is selected when time (minutes)upon calling is odd number, and “B6” is selected when time (minutes)upon calling is even number. If number of calling in the calling historyper call recipient is greater than or equal to six, “C3” is selectedwhen time (minutes) upon calling is odd number, and “C7” is selectedwhen time (minutes) upon calling is even number. In the foregoing case,the messages to be displayed become corresponding fixed messages.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the built-in character #1 is selected and theday corresponds one of the memorial days set by the schedule function,if number of calling in the calling history per call recipient is one ortwo, “A9” is selected irrespective of odd number or even number of thetime (minutes) of calling, if number of calling in the calling historyper call recipient is three to five, “B10” is selected irrespective ofodd number or even number of the time (minutes) of calling, and ifnumber of calling in the calling history per call recipient is greaterthan or equal to six, “C11” is selected irrespective of odd number oreven number of the time (minutes) of calling. In the foregoing case, themessages to be displayed become corresponding fixed messages.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the built-in character #2is selected in normal state, if number of calling in the calling historyper call recipient is one or two, “A13” is selected when time (minutes)upon calling is odd number, and “A17” is selected when time (minutes)upon calling is even number, if number of calling in the calling historyper call recipient is three to five, “B14” is selected when time(minutes) upon calling is odd number, and “B18” is selected when time(minutes) upon calling is even number, and if number of calling in thecalling history per call recipient is greater than or equal to six,“C15” is selected when time (minutes) upon calling is odd number, and“C19” is selected when time (minutes) upon calling is even number. Inthe foregoing case, the messages to be displayed become correspondingfixed messages.

As shown in FIG. 10D, when the built-in character #2 is selected and theday corresponds one of the memorial days set by the schedule function,if number of calling in the calling history per call recipient is one ortwo, “A21” is selected irrespective of odd number or even number of thetime (minutes) of calling, if number of calling in the calling historyper call recipient is three to five, “B22” is selected irrespective ofodd number or even number of the time (minutes) of calling, and ifnumber of calling in the calling history per call recipient is greaterthan or equal to six, “C23” is selected irrespective of odd number oreven number of the time (minutes) of calling. In the foregoing case, themessages to be displayed become corresponding fixed messages.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10E, when the downloaded character isselected, if number of calling in the calling history per call recipientis one or two, “DL-A” is selected irrespective of odd number or evennumber of the time (minutes) of calling, if number of calling in thecalling history per call recipient is three to five, “DL-B” is selectedirrespective of odd number or even number of the time (minutes) ofcalling, and if number of calling in the calling history per callrecipient is greater than or equal to six, “DL-C” is selectedirrespective of odd number or even number of the time (minutes) ofcalling. In the foregoing case, the messages to be displayed becomecorresponding fixed messages.

Upon depression of the call releasing button after telephone callarrival or returning to the waiting screen, the character presentationmeans 121 displays the character on the image display area 163 of thedisplay screen 161. The character presentation means 121 makes judgmentof the character to be displayed depending upon call arrival history andtime of call arrival.

The character presentation means 121 determines presentation on thedisplay to any one of three types of appearing character depending uponnumber of the same number presenting in the calling history (number ofcalling in the calling history per call recipient) and any one of twopatterns depending upon the time of calling (minutes) (odd number oreven number).

Upon depression of the call releasing button after telephone callarrival and returning to the waiting screen, the character to bedisplayed on the image display area 163 of the display screen 161 is thesame as the character after telephone calling (character shown in FIGS.10A to 10E) as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11E.

As shown in FIG. 7, the foregoing characters and messages are displayedin the message display area 162 and the image display area 163 of thedisplay screen 161 after telephone calling and after telephone callarrival. In FIG. 7, as message, together with the character, “name andtelephone number of counterpart of call”, “talk time was ΔΔ minutes and◯◯ seconds”. In this case, as the message, word selection may be varieddepending upon kind of the character (“standard”, “male” and “female”)or dialec may also be used. On the other hand, in case of caller numbernot noticed (caller number unnoticed setting, notice impossible, publictelephone), information of counter party of call is not displayed andonly duration of call is displayed.

It should be noted that upon returning to the waiting screen aftertelephone calling set forth above or upon returning to the waitingscreen after telephone call arrival, preference is given for informationdisplay from respective networks so that character presentation is notperformed when message display, display of duration of call, reasondisplay and so forth.

When not responded call is present, when newly received mail is present,and when the upper side casing and the lower side casing are situatedfrom closed condition to open condition by the casing opening andclosing detecting mechanism 19, the character presentation means 121performs character display with determining any one of two patterns ofthe character depending upon time (minutes) (odd number or even number)while the cellular telephone is opened. It should be noted that thecharacter presentation means 121 does not display even when the upperside casing and the lower side casing are in open condition, and notresponded call or the newly received mail is present.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the built-in character #1 is selectedin normal state, if state of the cellular telephone set is “notresponded call present”, “D4” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is odd number, and “D8” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is even number. If the state of the cellular telephone set is“newly received mail present”, “D4” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is odd number, and “D8” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is even number. When the state of the cellular telephone set isboth “not responded call present” and “newly received mail present”,“D4” is selected when time (minutes) upon calling is odd number, and“D8” is selected when time (minutes) upon calling is even number.

As shown in FIG. 12B, when the built-in character #1 is selected and theday corresponds one of the memorial days set by the schedule function,if state of the cellular telephone set is “not responded call present”,“D12” is selected irrespective of odd number or even number of the time(minutes) of calling, if the state of the cellular telephone set is“newly received mail present”, “D12” is selected irrespective of oddnumber or even number of the time (minutes) of calling, and if the stateof the cellular telephone set is both “not responded call present” and“newly received mail present”, “D12” is selected irrespective of oddnumber or even number of the time (minutes) of calling.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the built-in character #2is selected in normal state, if state of the cellular telephone set is“not responded call present”, “D16” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is odd number, and “D20” is selected when time (minutes) uponcalling is even number. If the state of the cellular telephone set is“newly received mail present”, “D16” is selected when time (minutes)upon calling is odd number, and “D20” is selected when time (minutes)upon calling is even number. When the state of the cellular telephoneset is both “not responded call present” and “newly received mailpresent”, “D16” is selected when time (minutes) upon calling is oddnumber, and “D20” is selected when time (minutes) upon calling is evennumber.

As shown in FIG. 12D, when the built-in character #2 is selected and theday corresponds one of the memorial days set by the schedule function,if state of the cellular telephone set is “not responded call present”,“D24” is selected irrespective of odd number or even number of the time(minutes) of calling, if the state of the cellular telephone set is“newly received mail present”, “D24” is selected irrespective of oddnumber or even number of the time (minutes) of calling, and if the stateof the cellular telephone set is both “not responded call present” and“newly received mail present”, “D24” is selected irrespective of oddnumber or even number of the time (minutes) of calling.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12E, when the downloaded character isselected, if state of the cellular telephone set is “not responded callpresent”, “DL-D” is selected irrespective of odd number or even numberof the time (minutes) of calling, if the state of the cellular telephoneset is “newly received mail present”, “DL-D” is selected irrespective ofodd number or even number of the time (minutes) of calling, and if thestate of the cellular telephone set is both “not responded call present”and “newly received mail present”, “DL-D” is selected irrespective ofodd number or even number of the time (minutes) of calling. In theforegoing cases, the messages to be displayed become corresponding fixedmessages.

As shown in FIG. 8, the foregoing characters and messages are displayedon the message display area 162 and the image display area 163 of thedisplay screen after telephone calling and telephone call arrival. InFIG. 8, as the message, together with the character, one of twomessages, “six calls arrived” and “you got mail” is displayed. In caseof both of “not responded call” and “newly received call” are present,both messages are displayed simultaneously.

In this case, as the message , it is possible to vary words dependingupon kind of the character (difference of the kind such as “standard”,“male” and “female” or so forth), or in the alternative, dialec may alsobe used.

When variation of state of the upper side casing and the lower sidecasing from the closed condition to the open condition is detected bythe casing opening and closing detecting mechanism 19, characterpresentation is performed. Then, display condition in character displayis differentiated depending upon a time of opening of the cellulartelephone set. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, time and date “April11, 12:34”, message “Welcome”, and character are displayed. It should benoted that the character is not displayed every time upon opening of thecellular telephone set, and there may be a time zone where characterdisplay is not performed.

Preferential order upon character display set forth above is “when notresponded call and/or newly received mail present” is given higherpreferential order than “when the upper side casing and the lower sidecasing are changed the state from closed condition to open condition”which is in turn given higher preferential order than “opening andclosing in normal state”. On the basis of the preferential order,animation of the character is performed. It should be noted that whenautomatic display or preferential call is set, character presentationwhen the state of the upper side casing and the lower side casing ischanged from the closed state to the open state, is not performed.

In case that the day is the day set as memorial day in the schedulefunction, the character presentation means 121 displays the particularcharacter. Even when downloaded character is designated, the particularbuilt-in character is displayed on the memorial day.

On the other hand, when the character presentation means 121 performscharacter presentation even while a sound mode is set. This is becauseof display for five seconds. The character presentation means 121 maydisplay a message in English words during bilingual mode. The foregoingmessage is displayed as required information notice since characterpresentation is performed by the browser.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are flowchart showing character display judgment processby the character presentation means 121 of FIG. 1. Discussion will begiven for character presentation by the character presentation means 121with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. It should be noted that the processshown in FIGS. 13 to 15 is realized by executing programs stored in thestorage medium 20 by the control portion 12.

The character presentation means 121 is actuated when the controlportion detects performing of calling process and call receivingprocess, changing of state of the upper side casing and the lower sidecasing from closed state to the open state as detected by the casingopening and closing detection mechanism 19 when not responded call ispresent or when newly received call present, and changing of state ofthe upper side casing and the lower side casing from closed state to theopen state in the normal state, to execute the following presentingcharacter display judgment process.

Upon performing presenting character display judgment, the characterpresentation means 121 performs judgment of character selection (step S1of FIG. 13). If standard is selected, character presentation display ismade null (step S3 of FIG. 13).

On the other hand, if the character is selected, the characterpresentation means 121 performs judgment of character presentation inthe screen display setting (step S2 of FIG. 13). In case that setting ismade to OFF, character presentation display is made null (step S3 ofFIG. 13).

When character presentation in the screen display setting is thebuilt-in character, the character presenting means 121 makes judgmentwhether “day set as memorial day in the schedule function=day of theclock of the mobile unit” is true or not (step S4 of FIG. 13).

If not “day set as memorial day in the schedule function=day of theclock of the mobile unit” and character #1 is selected in judgment forcharacter selection (step S5 of FIG. 13), the character presentationmeans 121 makes the character presentation display effective (step S6 ofFIG. 13), sets the character presentation image to the character #1 innormal state (step S7 of FIG. 13), and sets the character presentationmessage to the message for the character #1 (step S8 of FIG. 13).

If character #2 is selected in judgment for character selection (step S5of FIG. 13), the character presentation means 121 makes the characterpresentation display effective (step S9 of FIG. 13), sets the characterpresentation image to the character #2 in normal state (step S10 of FIG.13), and sets the character presentation message to the message for thecharacter #2 (step S11 of FIG. 13).

If the character presentation in the screen display setting the originalimage (DL (Down Load) character), the character presentation means 121makes judgment whether “day set as memorial day in the schedulefunction=day of the clock of the mobile unit” is true (step S12 of FIG.14).

If “day set as memorial day in the schedule function=day of the clock ofthe mobile unit” is not true, the character presentation means 121 makesthe character presentation display effective (step S13 of FIG. 14) andthe character presentation image is set as the downloaded character(step S 14 of FIG. 14)

Subsequently, the character presentation means 121 performs judgment ofthe message for the character presentation original image in screendisplay setting (step S15 of FIG. 14). If pattern #1 is selected, themessage for character presentation is set to the pattern #1 for thedownloaded character (step S16 of FIG. 14), on the other hand, ifpattern #2 is selected, the message for character presentation is set tothe pattern #2 for the downloaded character (step S17 of FIG. 14), andalso, if pattern #3 is selected, the message for character presentationis set to the pattern #3 for the downloaded character (step S18 of FIG.14).

If “day set as memorial day in the schedule function=day of the clock ofthe mobile unit” is true at steps S4 and S12, and if judgment ofcharacter selection is made as being character #1 (step S19 of FIG. 15),character presentation display is made effective (step S20 of FIG. 15),the character presentation image is set to the character #1 for thememorial day (step S21 of FIG. 15), and the character presentationmessage is set to the message for the character #1 (step S8 of FIG. 13).

If judgment of character selection is made as being character #2 (stepS19 of FIG. 15), character presentation display is made effective (stepS22 of FIG. 15), the character presentation image is set to thecharacter #2 for the memorial day (step S23 of FIG. 15), and thecharacter presentation message is set to the message for the character#2 (step S11 of FIG. 13).

As set forth above, in the shown embodiment, it becomes possible toincrease number of display patterns of animation display withoutoccupying large storage region in the memory 13 and without performingsetting operation every time, by determining any one of three types ofappearing characters depending upon number of the same number presentingin calling history (number of calling in the calling history per callrecipient) and determining any one of two patterns depending upon thetime (minutes) of calling (odd number or even number) by the characterpresentation means 121.

On the other hand, in the shown embodiment, it becomes possible toincrease number of display patterns of animation display withoutoccupying large storage region in the memory 13 and without performingsetting operation every time, by determining any one of three types ofappearing characters depending upon number of the same number presentingin call arrival history (number of call arrival in the call arrivalhistory per caller) and determining any one of two patterns dependingupon the time (minutes) of call arrival (odd number or even number) bythe character presentation means 121.

Also, in the shown embodiment, when not responded call is present and/orwhen newly received mail is present, and when change of state of theupper side casing and the lower side casing from closed state to openstate is detected by the casing opening and closing detecting mechanism19, the character is displayed. At this time, pattern of the characteris selected any one of two patterns depending upon time (minutes) of thetime of opening of the mobile set (odd number or even number). Thus, itbecomes possible to increase number of display patterns of animationdisplay without occupying large storage region in the memory 13 andwithout performing setting operation every time.

On the other hand, in the shown embodiment, when change of state of theupper side casing and the lower side casing from closed state to openstate is detected by the casing opening and closing detecting mechanism19, the character presentation means 121 performs characterpresentation. At this time, display condition in character display isselected depending upon time (minutes) of the time of opening of themobile set. Thus, it becomes possible to increase number of displaypatterns of animation display without occupying large storage region inthe memory 13 and without performing setting operation every time.

It should be noted that while discussion has been given in terms of thefoldable type cellular telephone set in the shown embodiment, thepresent invention is applicable for the cellular telephone set, in whichthe upper side casing and the lower side casing are integrated, thefoldable type cellular telephone set to be opened in left and rightsides. On the other hand, in the shown embodiment, discussion has beengiven concerning method for performing determination of the characterbased on combination of history information and timing of occurrence,determination of the character may be done depending only on the historyinformation or on the timing of occurrence.

As set forth above, the cellular telephone set according to the presentinvention which can perform animation display of one of a preliminarilystored plurality of characters, can increase number of display patternsof animation display without occupying large storage region in thememory and without performing setting operation every time bycontrolling animation display of the character depending upon historyinformation corresponding to the event when occurrence of the event onthe own terminal is detected.

As set forth above, the cellular telephone set according to the presentinvention which can perform animation display of one of a preliminarilystored plurality of characters, can increase number of display patternsof animation display without occupying large storage region in thememory 13 and without performing setting operation every time bycontrolling animation display depending upon occurrence time ofpredetermined operation associating with the event when occurrence ofevent on the own terminal is detected.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described withrespect to exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,omission and additions may be made therein and thereto, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore,the present invention should not be understood as limited to thespecific embodiment set out above but to include all possibleembodiments which can be embodied within a scope encompassed andequivalent thereof with respect to the feature set out in the appendedclaims.

1. A cellular telephone set capable of performing animation display ofany one of a preliminarily stored plurality of characters, comprising:character presentation means, upon detection of an event on the cellulartelephone set, for controlling animation display of said characterdepending upon an occurrence timing of a predetermined operationrelating to said event, a first casing containing a key operationportion and a second casing connected to said first casing for openingand closing, and detecting means for detecting open and closedconditions of said first and second casing, wherein said characterpresentation means controls the animation display of said character soas to differentiate patterns depending upon odd number and even numberof an occurrence time of said predetermined operation and controls theanimation display of said character depending upon result of detectionof variation of opening and closing states of said first and secondcasing by said detecting means.
 2. The cellular telephone set as setforth in claim 1, wherein said character presentation means controls theanimation display of said character depending upon particular date andtime information preliminarily set in a schedule function.
 3. Acharacter display presentation method of a cellular telephone setcapable of performing animation display of any one of a preliminarilystored plurality of characters, comprising: a first step of detecting anevent on the cellular telephone set, and a second step of, upondetection of the event, controlling animation display of said characterdepending upon an occurrence timing of a predetermined operationrelating to said event, wherein in said second step, the animationdisplay of said character is controlled depending upon result ofdetection of variation of opening and closing states of a first casingcontaining a key operation portion and a second casing connected to saidfirst casing for opening and closing and the animation display of saidcharacter is controlled so as to differentiate patterns depending uponodd number and even number of an occurrence time of said predeterminedoperation.
 4. The character display presentation method as set forth inclaim 3, wherein in said second step, the animation display of saidcharacter is controlled depending upon particular date and timeinformation preliminarily set in a schedule function.
 5. A cellulartelephone set capable of storing a plurality of characters and aplurality of messages, comprising: character presentation means, upondetection of an event on the cellular telephone set, for controllingboth display of animation of said character and display of said messagedepending upon history information of the event, wherein said characterpresentation means controls the displays depending upon odd number andeven number of any one of hour, minute and second of an occurrence timeof said predetermined operation, and the event is at least one oftelephone calling, telephone call reception, call release aftertelephone calling, call release after telephone call reception, presenceof not responded call, storing telephone number, transmission of e-mail,reception of e-mail, timing of a schedule preliminarily set in aschedule function, and change of opening and closing states of foldingcasing of the cellular telephone set.
 6. The cellular telephone set asset forth in claim 5, wherein said character presentation means controlsthe displays depending upon an occurrence timing of a predeterminedoperation relating to said event in addition to said historyinformation.
 7. The cellular telephone set as set forth in claim 5,wherein said character presentation means is capable of storingselection of a message type and controls switching of the display of themessage depending upon the message type.
 8. The cellular telephone setas set forth in claim 7, wherein said switching of the display is tochange an ending, a dialect or a language of the message.
 9. Thecellular telephone set as set forth in claim 5, wherein said characterpresentation means controls the display of the message even if saidcharacter presentation means does not control the display of theanimation of the character.
 10. The cellular telephone set as set forthin claim 5, wherein the animation of the character and the message aredisplayed in different display portions or in different areas of onedisplay portion.
 11. The cellular telephone set as set forth in claim 5,wherein the number of the messages capable of being stored is largerthan that of the characters capable of being stored.
 12. A characterdisplay presentation method of a cellular telephone set capable ofperforming display of animation of any one of a preliminarily storedplurality of characters and display of any one of a preliminarily storedplurality of messages, comprising: a first step of detecting an event onthe cellular telephone set, a second step of confirming historyinformation of the event, a third step of controlling both the displayof animation of said character and the display of said message dependingupon result of confirming the history information of the event, whereinthe third step comprises a step of controlling both of the displaysdepending upon odd number and even number of any one of hour, minute andsecond of an occurrence time of said predetermined operation, and theevent is at least one of telephone calling, telephone call reception,call release after telephone calling, call release after telephone callreception, presence of not responded call, storing telephone number,transmission of e-mail, reception of e-mail, timing of a schedulepreliminarily set in a schedule function, and change of opening andclosing states of folding casing of the cellular telephone set.
 13. Thecharacter display presentation method as set forth in claim 12, whereinsaid third step comprises a step of controlling both of the displaysdepending upon an occurrence timing of a predetermined operationrelating to said event in addition to said history information.
 14. Thecharacter display presentation method as set forth in claim 12, whereinsaid third step comprises a step of storing selection of a message type,and a step of controlling to switch the display of the message dependingupon the message type.
 15. The character display presentation method asset forth in claim 14, wherein the step of controlling to switch thedisplay of the message is to change an ending, a dialect or a languageof the message.
 16. The character display presentation method as setforth in claim 12, wherein the third step controls the display of themessage even if said third step does not control the display of theanimation of the character.
 17. The character display presentationmethod as set forth in claim 12, wherein the third step controls todisplay the animation of the character and the message in differentdisplay portions or in different areas of one display portion.
 18. Thecharacter display presentation method as set forth in claim 12, whereinthe number of the messages capable of being stored is larger than thatof the characters capable of being stored.